Daggett strikes out with luxury tax

Independent gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett was starting to make sense with his views on education reform. But then he came up with a plan to make it harder for rich people like Corzine to buy elections. Daggett would have a luxury tax on the amount self-funded candidates can spend like they do in baseball for the rich teams. Thing is people just don’t care about that. Maybe when we pay reasonable property taxes, get corruption under control and have an education system designed for the kids and not the people running it, a luxury tax will get some attention. Since Daggett likes comparisons to baseball he’ll understand that I think he struck out.

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About Bob Ingle

Bob Ingle is Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers and co-author of The New York Times' Best Seller, "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption" and "Chris Christie: The Inside Story Of His Rise To Power". He has won numerous journalism awards and is often a news analyst on radio and television. Twitter @ bobingle99.

11 Responses to Daggett strikes out with luxury tax

I actually thought it was a pretty good idea .Look at the guy that bought the last election got us .I have see it first hand having a great deal of money makes you removed from the the ordinary people ,or feeling so guilty you try to help others with less ,but by using other peoples money .

The self-funded candidate is not the rule, it is the exception. Both parties have proven election after election that they can raise enough money to ‘buy’ elections. Just because the money comes from the candidate instead of numerous party hacks isn’t the game changer we need. The entire campaign funding system is flawed as is the election process. Both favor the in power politicians in the major parties. A luxury tax will not change that.

Daggett offers a non-solution to a non existent problem rather than address the issue which will keep NJ on the road to destruction. There is only one governor and he really can do very little without the support of 62 of the 120 PIGS in the legislature. The fact that those pigs never change, never really face opposition even, due to gerrymandered voting districts created by those same pigs virtually ensures NJ will never right itself. No single governor will ever make a difference.

I’m guessing that by trying to level out the field a little, it may allow “outsiders” a chance for running for office. As the power brokers, political parties, Special interest groups and insiders pour tons of money into “their ” candidate, it makes it almost impossible for an honest person to raise enough money to get his message out.

As a means to an end, it probable isn’t a terrible idea. If the result is to get the usual and customary people out, and some fresh (and hopefully less tainted people in) it would help the people of NJ.

I’ve been saying the same thing for awhile now. This is the only way to level the playing field. Anyone running for office should only be allowed a certain amount. Good idea, but will never happen. These pols will do NOTHING that will interfer with their agenda.

When you have nothing else to offer try “Class Warefare”! The Democrats have used it and because the average struggeling Joe 6-pack is getting creamed with “BS” from Trenton and bombarded with the over rated & overpaid “Holly Wood” blowhardsin the news, it is easy to
pull off!
The only issue is Corzine has done nothing for New Jersey in a possitive way! Higher taxes, and Higher “VISIBLE” corruption and scandle! Nice job John!!!
Daggett reminds me of John Edwards! Mr. Perfect Hair! He is just a distraction and should give it up!

The ‘Daggett’ staff has ignored my thought of a needed compelling reason to vote for him.

NJ needs an effective I & R system to offset Court Activism and reform NJ’s regressive school tax system. Homes are no indication of ability to pay. And, where is the common sense? New school buildings are like feel good laws – not the answer.

This guy smiles so much, I don’t think he has a central nervous system, and after this latest idea, I’m sure of it. Just a straw dog to split the vote, in my opinion. He hasn’t a chance, nor likely the genuine desire to face down Corzine in a shootout, even if he becomes the front-runner of the opposition candidates. At the eleventh hour, after the vote is split, he’ll fold up like a two-dollar umbrella.

I think it’s a good idea and easy to enforce. The candidate pays a certain percentage beyond a set limit into the general fund for political campaigns. It should also apply to all candidates who reject public financing and campaign spending limits, whether they are self-financed or by special interests. Seems fair to me and provides a level playing field.

Let the people decide, not bank accounts!

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Bob Ingle, Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers, on politics in "The Soprano State".

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Bob IngleBob Ingle is Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey Newspapers and co-author of The New York Times' Best Seller, "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption." Hear him Fridays at 5 p.m. on www.tommygshow.com radio. twitter.com/bobingle99 E-mail Bob

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"Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power," written by Bob Ingle and Michael Symons, offers the first inside portrait of New Jersey’s governor, who in two years as governor emerged as a national Republican Party figure famous for his blunt public statements. The book details Christie’s combative public persona and deep family roots, tracing his improbable political rise from a bruising stint in county government to his anti-corruption crusade as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power goes behind the scenes to reveal his family life, his public life, and what the future might hold..

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"The Soprano State," written by Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure, details the you-couldn't-make-this-up true story of the corruption that has pervaded New Jersey politics, government, and business for the past thirty years. From Jimmy Hoffa purportedly being buried somewhere beneath the end zone in Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands, through allegations of a thoroughly corrupt medical and dental university, through Mafia influence at all levels, to a governor who suddenly declares himself a “gay American” and resigns, the Garden State might indeed be better named after the HBO mobsters.

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